By Salifu Faridat
During a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr. Habib Mustapha Ahmed, officially confirmed that the agency has not yet received a $1 million donation pledged by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist Nigerian flood victims affected by the 2022 disaster.
The announcement of the $1 million donation was initially made by the US embassy through Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard in October 2022. The widespread flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall, impacted nearly 2.8 million people across Nigeria, resulting in significant damage to homes and infrastructure and leading to mass displacement.
The United States had emphasized that the funds would be channeled to local partners to provide essential assistance, including emergency shelter, relief supplies, hygiene kits, and multipurpose cash aid to those affected by the floods and the concurrent cholera outbreak.
Despite the initial announcement and the passage of more than 10 months, Engr. Habib Mustapha Ahmed confirmed that NEMA has not yet received the promised donation.
This delay has raised concerns regarding the allocation and utilization of the intended funds, prompting questions about the reasons behind the prolonged wait for disbursement.
During the press briefing, Engr. Ahmed also addressed urgent humanitarian needs arising from banditry in Zamfara State.
Governor Dr. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State visited NEMA’s headquarters, seeking assistance for the growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) resulting from the ongoing banditry challenges.
In response, Engr. Ahmed assured Governor Lawal of NEMA’s unwavering commitment to supporting Zamfara State and other affected regions.
The agency’s pledge underscores its broader mandate to address a range of humanitarian crises and provide crucial aid to communities facing adversity across Nigeria.
Engr. Ahmed reiterated NEMA’s readiness to extend assistance, affirming that Zamfara State would receive the necessary aid, in line with the support offered to other states in the country.
This commitment underscores NEMA’s pivotal role in responding to diverse humanitarian emergencies and providing essential support to communities grappling with challenges nationwide.
